Ever heard of Emotional Support Animals?

Awesome, I hope you'll let us know how that went.

@rebelann The dog's presence was soothing. I petted the dog, and then took my kid client out hiking. The therapist stayed back with the mom.

I've read a few articles about therapists using pets to soothe their patients @TheHorse in fact one therapist wrote about how using horses was helping not just his kids with physical disabilities but also some with autism and other emotional problems.

Years ago when dad was stationed in German(1956 to 1959) we met people who had dogs that watched over their toddlers to keep them out of trouble. I think dogs can be the best sitters sometimes.

I love wolves @Cinimin their loyalty to their mates and family always amazed me. Yes, this Rottie was such a sweetie and so ready to be petted. I honestly believe that anyone who has their pups or cats indoors with them most of the time will get emotional support, it's just what canines do and naturally some cats will too but they can be quite aloof sometimes.

@rebelann I love wolves too and @Cinimin . You should see all the statues and pictures I have of them.

Yes it is a winged wolf. :) I'm trying to spread the word about the difference between emotional support animals and service animals. The Rottweiler you speak of is actually a service animal. That one has undergone some training to be able in to be in the hospitals. Not to shy away or bark at loud noises, like a crutch falling or one of those metal trays. Also trained to allow people to pet and touch. My support animal is only obedience and manner trained. Basic stuff needed to live with her.

Yes they are, in fact when feeling down and out our family pets provide the best kind of help.

Oh wow, first I've heard of that one. Canines are best for soothing any kind of emotional sorrows but I've also heard there are some cats that will provide the same. My pets help me with my emotional problems if I have any, pets are so very necessary to my well being.

And it's not just pups or kitties @nanette64 many other animals have that same talent like horses or donkeys. Ummm, not tryin to be negative here but those damn ticks can too, they will seek the weak, old and frail to infect which is why I refuse to allow Ally to spend to much time outside if it's been wet out, that's when their eggs hatch.

@rebelann Since animals can even pick up on a person who is about to have a seizure, their sense of smell can tell when we're not quite right. We exude certain chemicals through our skin cells and both cats & dogs have such a keen sense of smell, they know when we need them the most.

@Cinimin No I really enjoyed it reading. It's good concept. You helped me to understand it. you explained it so well. I don't like having pets at home. It's not that I hate animals, it just that I am used their presence around me. Are these pets are specially trained or I mean who provides these pets, therapist??

@Cinimin okay

Emotional Support Animals are any animal who can help someone with depression, bi-polar, etc. For instance, I have chronic depression and my dog, Mira, helps me to get out of the house, walk around, sometimes chat with people. She also keeps me from sleeping too much. She keeps on a schedule of sorts. Emotional Support Animals can be any animal, from a turtle to a dog to a bird. Therapists can give a prescription for one. It can allow some people to be exempt from pet deposits (although they are still responsible for any damages) they can go on airplanes, buses with permission, some stores. THEY ARE NOT SERVICE ANIMALS! They are support animals. They do not require any special training like dogs for the blind or deaf, or training such as those dogs who go to hospitals. And as I said they can be any animal if they can help you cope with your life. And they DO NOT require registration although there are many websites who would love to take your money for that. I know I've been chatty this time but it is a subject dear to my heart and I'm passionate about it. Hope you enjoyed and if not, I apologize.

I sure do hope they finally pass a bill to allow our pets to accompany us in stores @cinimin & @Jessicalynnt of course it will mean many of us will have to regularly bath our pups. Well, that could open a whole new field of jobs, I'll call them the canine bathers, groomers do more than bath and honestly dogs don't need all that all the time.

@Cinimin that would be amazing, I already know my dogs help my anxiety and calm my panic attacks

Emotional Support Animals do not require any specialized training. They are for support only. As in getting depressed people out and about, setting up schedules for their feeding and such. They are recognized as a valid help animal, but they can be any animal from lizards & turtles to dogs & birds. They have been recognized as a medical help for people and we are in the process of trying to get them recognized as regular service animals so they can accompany us everywhere like service dogs do.